West Palm Beach Mayor and City Commission set maximum millage rate for 2026/2027 fiscal year budget planning

West Palm Beach, Florida – The West Palm Beach Mayor and City Commission held a special meeting on Thursday, July 17, 2026, where city leaders approved key financial decisions, including setting the maximum property tax rate that could be used for the upcoming fiscal year.

During the meeting, commissioners approved a resolution following a public hearing that established the maximum millage rates for fiscal year 2026/2027. The approved not-to-exceed millage rate was set at 8.1308, allowing the city to continue budget planning while maintaining the option to adopt a rate up to that level.

The approved rate represents a 5.71% increase compared with the rolled-back rate of 7.6915. The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate approximately the same amount of property tax revenue as the previous year, excluding changes caused by new construction and other adjustments.

In addition to the general millage rate, the commission also approved a debt service millage rate of 0.0533 for the 2026/2027 fiscal year. The debt service rate is used to support financial obligations related to city debt.

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The action taken during the special meeting is part of the city’s annual budget process. Setting a maximum millage rate allows officials to continue reviewing financial needs, projected revenues and planned services before the final budget is adopted.

As part of the resolution, city leaders also established the date for a future public hearing regarding the adoption of the fiscal year 2026/2027 budget. That hearing will provide residents with another opportunity to review and comment on the city’s financial plans before the budget becomes final.

The Mayor and City Commission’s decision represents an important step in preparing the city’s financial framework for the upcoming year. Officials will continue working through the budget process, balancing community priorities with available resources and long-term financial responsibilities.

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Residents interested in reviewing the full list of decisions made during the special meeting can access the complete pass/fail agenda released by the city. The agenda provides additional details on all actions considered and approved during the meeting.

The millage rate decision is one of the required steps municipalities must complete each year as they prepare their budgets and determine funding levels for public services, programs and city operations. The final budget and adopted tax rates will be considered during the upcoming public hearing process.